Yep, and it's something that Slate's marketing doesn't directly address. Before Tesla's brand perception meltdown due to Elon, a major reason why Tesla was much more popular than other brands was because of the Supercharger network, which helped reduce range anxiety worries in the West Coast.
>While there are enough charges to make the trip they are not as common as gas stations and often not in visible locations.
Sure but everyone with an EV has an app that tells them where they are and helps with route planning.
>You can't just drive until the light goes on and then stop at the next exit like a gas car.
You nearly can. Most ICE cars turn the light on at 50 miles. Other than maybe the middle of the desert, there is going to be a charger within 50 miles.
> a major reason why Tesla was much more popular than other brands was because of the Supercharger network, which helped reduce range anxiety worries in the West Coast.
Can't basically every other brand use those now? Between the compatible Tesla chargers and all the other ones through Charge America and charging overnight at home, there is no concern from a daily driving, or even moderately ranged trip, standpoint. The downside to long trips is the 30+ minute wait at each charging stop, not the lack of chargers.